WHO WE ARE

Our beat is the labor front, broadly defined, both geographically and conceptually. We examine the world of work and workers on the job as well as where they live. We examine the issues that affect their everyday lives, with a particular sensitivity towards human rights abuses, environmental concerns and the U.S. drive for global domination. We record their global struggles and provide analysis of their efforts to empower themselves and transform society to provide greater democratic, human, social, political and economic rights. Each program consists of feature stories, generally interviews, within a historical context, often accompanied by sound from demonstrations, rallies or conferences, and complemented and enhanced by poetry and instrumental or vocal -- people's culture.

Over the years Building Bridges has produced a weekly one hour program, Mondays from 7-8 PM EST, covering local, national and international labor and community issues over radio WBAI-Pacifica 99.5 FM in New York.We also produce half hour version, Building Bridges National, which is distribtued to over 40 broadcast and internet radio stations.

For more information you can contact us at knash@igc.org
In Struggle
Mimi Rosenberg & Ken Nash

Toyota, may be known for environmentally friendly cars, but that"sensitivity" hardy extends to its treatment of its workers in Japan, U.S. ,Burma and the Philippines. Building Bridges previews a new expose,"The Toyota You Don't Know" a study in abuse.************************************What's Driving the Price of Oil?withJames Paul, Ex. Dir., Global Policy Forum

Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi said Sunday, at a high-level oil summitthat Saudi Arabia is willing to pump more oil if customers need it - willthis stem the skyrocketing price of oil at the pump? Is the price of oildriven by speculators, the high fuel taxes in consuming countries andincreased oil consumption in developing economies? Is the price of oildriven by the record profits of the oil companies and lack of conservationespecially in the U.S?************************************Atlantic City Casino Workers Want to be Dealt a Fair HandwithEd Little, dealer at Trump PlazaandSharon Masino, dealer at Caesar's Palace

Casino dealers, slot technicians, keno and simulcast workers won sixU.A.W. union representation elections at four major Atlantic City casinos.While the owners make huge profits, casino workers wages, health carebenefits and working conditions have deteriorated. And, despite theoverwhelming pro-union majorities in the elections, casino operators areplaying Russian Roulette with workers seeking a contract.*******************************************Listen to Mimi Rosenberg Hosting Wednesday Wakeup Call from 6 – 9 am ************************************************Building Bridges and most WBAI Programs are now being archived for 90 Days. They are also being PodCast. These links will be live ca. 15 minutes after the program ends. To listen, download or PodCast archived shows go to http://archive.wbai.org/allshows.php?sort=nameaz

The Big Squeeze: Tough Times for the American Workerwith NY Times Labor reporter and author Steven Greenhouse

A discussion with Greenhouse about the decline of the standard of living of workers as a result of a generation long employer offensive; where workers toil harder and longer for lower wages, fewer health and pension benefits, under more hazardous conditions. We explore the forces that have impacted all strata of the working class creating an American crisis.

In 1948 Ronald Reagan, then the President of the Screen Actors Guild, starred in a Radio program sponsored by the International Ladies Garment Workers Union promoting the candidacy of Harry Truman in the Presidential elections of that year. You will hear Ronald Reagan the then unabashed liberal blasting the Republican Tom Dewey and the Republic Congress for its anti-worker policiesincluding the Taft-Hartley Act and for promoting policies which decrease the real income of workers while promoting huge profits by the greedy corporations. With commentary by Eric Foner placing this watershed election in historical context for today.

Domestic Workers Go National Eight years ago, Domestic Workers United was formed in NYC by Asian, Latina, Caribbean and African Women. A “Domestic Workers Bill of Rights is now pending in the NYS Legislature

GM announced that it would close it’s truck assembly plant in Ontario, causing the loss of 2,900 jobs. The closing is part of a restructuring with four North American plants slated to close as well. However, Canadian workers aren’t sitting back they’ve taken their anger straight to the front door of the GM executives, with a blockade they vow to continue until their demands are met.

Domestic Workers Go National

Domestic Workers are no longer silent. Eight years ago,Domestic Workers United was formed in NYC by Asian, Latina, Caribbean and African Women. A “Domestic Workers Bill of Rights is now pending in the NYS Legislature. At last year's Social Forum in Atlanta, 16 organizations from around the country formed the "Domestic Workers Alliance". They came to NYC recently to attend the First National Domestic Workers Congress. Nearly 400 workers and supporters rallied in front of NYC City Hall to demand justice.

Health Care, Who Cares?With The Coalition against Privatization of GHI and HIP

Brick by Brick: Building Labour Solidarity with PalestineWith Jenny Peto, Member Local 1998, United Steelworkers, Toronto

*Click above to listen to story

Health Care, Who Cares?With The Coalition against Privatization of GHI and HIPProtesters massed outside the Manhattan offices of GHI after a proposal to convert GHI and HIP to a for-profit status. This would adversely affect 4 million GHI & HIP subscribers state-wide, including 500,000 NYC public employees. It will mean higher premiums, denial of care and higher deductibles when non-profit safeguards are removed. Now protesters are urging unions and public officials to join their campaign against the conversion application currently under review by the State Superintendent of Insurance Eric Dinallo.

Brick by Brick: Building Labour Solidarity with PalestineWith Jenny Peto, Member Local 1998, United Steelworkers, Toronto

The Labour Committee of the Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid held a conference in Toronto for labour activists working in solidarity with the Palestinian people. The conference sought to bring together workers to explore and refine the arguments and strategy in defense of the campaign for a boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel.

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BUILDING BRIDGES BASICS

Building Bridges: Your Community and Labor Report is broadcast weekly in the N.Y.C. to the Metropolitan area over WBAI, Pacifica on Mondays from 7-8 PM EST. Building Bridges and most WBAI Programs are now being archived for 90 Days. They are also being PodCast. These links will be live ca. 15 minutes after the program ends. To listen, download or PodCast archived shows go to http://archive.wbai.org/allshows.php?sort=nameaz

We also produce half hour version, Building Bridges National, Edition which is distributed to over 40 broadcast and internet radio stations.

Minding Business, a semi-monthly on-line publication of the Preamble Collaborative. Minding Business covers grassroots progressive activism and major federal, state, and local legislative initiatives directed toward increasing employment and countering the anti-worker, anti-consumer and anti-environmental shenanigans of corporations and their friends in political office. Each issue also contains economic news and editorials by Preamble staff and guest writers.

National Interfaith Committee For Worker Justice- people of faith who educate, organize, and mobilize the religious community in the U.S. on issues and campaigns that will improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers, especially low-wage workers.